Level 4 The Early Years Advanced Practitioner Course. Work-based training at your workplace. A Student Loan may be available if you're 19 or over studying at Level 3; fees may apply otherwise. You train while working in an early years setting, building leadership, mentoring, and coaching skills alongside your daily practice. The course covers supporting children with additional needs, working with families and professionals, promoting health and well-being, and leading change in your setting. It typically takes 6 months. Applications are reviewed individually, and relevant experience supports your application.
Who this course is for
This Level 4 qualification aims to provide professional development opportunities for those practitioners working in the early year’s workforce at Level 3. This qualification will challenge practitioners in both daily practice and theoretical understanding
Entry requirements
All applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. If you have experience or previous knowledge that will support your application please remember to include it. It is for learners who are looking to develop leadership and specialist skills for use in their current role, or in preparation to take on a specialist role such as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator or a Physical Activity and Nutrition Coordinator.
What you will learn
You'll develop leadership and mentoring skills for use in an early years setting.
You'll apply coaching and reflective practice to your daily work with children.
You'll learn how to enable children's learning and development.
You'll understand how to promote health and wellbeing through physical activity and nutrition coordination (PANCo).
You'll build skills to support children with additional needs, including Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
You'll learn how to work effectively with families and other professionals in early years settings.
You'll plan and carry out a small-scale research project to implement change in your setting.
How you will learn
Learning is delivered mainly online through the Google Classroom virtual learning environment, alongside your work in an early years setting. You'll complete a combination of mandatory and optional units. Assessment is work-based, drawing on your practice and professional context. At Level 4, you're expected to address complex problems, plan courses of action for yourself and others, and engage with different theoretical perspectives.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Achievement Training will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Nursery Practitioner (senior or specialist level in an early years setting)
Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) in an early years or primary setting
Physical Activity and Nutrition Coordinator (PANCo) in early years
Room Leader or Senior Practitioner in a nursery or pre-school
Early Years Mentor or Practice Coach supporting junior staff
Family Support Worker in early years or children's services
What you could study next
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services: moves you toward senior management roles in early years or children's services.
Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS): if you want to lead learning in an early years setting, EYTS is the recognised qualification for that role.
Foundation Degree or BA in Early Childhood Studies: a degree-level route for those looking to move into advisory, research, or leadership roles across the sector.
